Dog lovers flock to Canton for first Pooch-A-Palooza

The dog days of summer were in full swing over the weekend, as thousands of canines and their owners flocked to Canton for the first Pooch-A-Palooza.

By Eryn Carlson

The Patriot Ledger, Quincy, MA

By Eryn Carlson

Posted Jun. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 23, 2013 at 11:22 PM

By Eryn Carlson

Posted Jun. 23, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jun 23, 2013 at 11:22 PM

CANTON

» Social News

The dog days of summer were in full swing over the weekend, as thousands of canines and their owners flocked to Canton for the first Pooch-A-Palooza.

The outdoor festival, held at Prowse Farm on Saturday and Sunday, featured all things canine, from a dog pavilion with agility performances to a wide variety of vendors offering pooch-related products and services. More than 10,000 people were expected to attend the two-day festival.

“We just wanted somewhere for people to bring their dogs and for families to get together,” said Kristen Valente of Waltham-based On the Avenue Marketing Group, which put on the festival.

Some of the proceeds from the event benefit Canine Companions for Independence, a nonprofit organization that provides trained assistance dogs, free of charge, to people with disabilities.

“It’s a great event for a great cause,” said Ashley Atkins, 25, a Freetown resident who went to the festival with her mother, Gwyn, of Bridgewater. The pair brought their dogs Hunter, a beagle, and Max, an Australian shepherd, to Pooch-A-Palooza on Sunday.

Mary Ellen Burch, who was at the event with her daughters – 13-year-old Abbie and 10-year-old Sadie – planned to visit one of the vendors who was offering dog training.

“We just got a new dog back in February,” said Burch, of Canton, pointing to their 6-month-old Cockapoo, Maizy. “We wanted to come check everything out.”

Live music, food trucks, a beer garden, kids’ activities and carnival games were also part of the event, making it a fun way to spend the day for even those who don’t own a dog.

Stephanie Kodis kept her dog Jamie, a 3-year-old Lhasa Apso – whose long golden fur framing her face was in braids – shaded in a stroller, and made sure she took a dip in one of the many kiddie pools to keep her cool in Sunday’s heat.

Kodis, who runs a dog-grooming business out of her Canton home, said Pooch-A-Palooza was the perfect event to get out with man’s best friend.

“It’s a place we can go with our dogs,” said Kodis. “There’s not many pet-friendly places around here.”